Piloting IVR (Interactive Voice Response) for Chronic Pain Treatment

This study is designed to develop and test the use of Interactive Voice Response (IVR) technology to deliver pain management treatment. IVR allows individuals to receive and provide information by using their touchtone telephone. This will allow more people with chronic pain to receive treatment even if they are not able to drive to an appointment regularly. In the first part of the study, the investigators will develop new materials like patient handbooks and pre-recorded explanations about common pain control techniques. In the second part of the study, a small number of persons with chronic pain will receive treatment using the new materials. We will ask for their feedback about how well they liked using the new materials and if the materials are understandable. This will allow us to revise the materials if we need to prior to studying them with a larger group of people with chronic pain.

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Key information

Conditions

Chronic Pain Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

VA Connecticut Healthcare System West Haven Campus, West Haven, CT

West Haven, Connecticut, 06516, United States

About this study

Background:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown in two meta-analyses to be effective in reducing pain intensity, disability, and affective distress in persons with chronic pain. Although effective, traditional CBT is time-intensive and requires patients to make frequent office visits. An alternative is to improve treatment accessibility and efficiency of treatment provision through the use of electronic methods such as interactive voice response (IVR) technology.

Objectives:

This pilot project was designed to test the feasibility and perceived value of IVR-based CBT intervention materials for the treatment of chronic pain. The project involved adapting traditional CBT materials for use in a IVR-based chronic pain treatment.

Methods:

The project occurred in two phases. Phase 1 included the revision of materials to support the IVR-based intervention including 1) a patient handbook, 2) a library of IVR-compatible scripts for the presentation of pain treatment topics, and 3) guidelines for providing personalized feedback. Phase 2 included the evaluation of the developed materials by a small group of patients with chronic pain. After the treatment materials were revised, their usability, feasibility and perceived value were tested with a small sample of Veterans with chronic pain.

Status:

This study is complete.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Pain for at least 6 months;
Average pain level of >3 on a scale of 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable);
Access to touchtone phone

Exclusion criteria

Current alcohol or substance abuse;
Current psychosis;
Current suicidal ideation;
Current life threatening or acute physical illness

Treatment and study plan

IVR-based Cognitive-behavior therapy

Behavioral

Standard cognitive-behavior therapy for chronic pain management using Interactive Voice Response (IVR) compatible materials and handouts

Primary outcomes

Comprehension

Time frame: Immediately after review of materials (phase 1); 1 week post review of materials (phase 2)

Each treatment session had 5 True / False questions that corresponded with the material in the patient handbook. Phase 1 participants reviewed individual treatment modules in the patient handbook to provide immediate feedback regarding how understandable, engaging, and informative they find the materials. Phase 2 participants' used the patient materials as part of treatment and the true/false questions were used to evaluate comprehension of the materials. Example questions: Chronic pain can affect how you feel physically and emotionally (T); Relaxation is the same as being lazy and unproductive (F).

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

US Department of Veterans Affairs

Fed

Registry information

Official study title

Piloting Interactive Voice Response Modules for Chronic Pain Treatment

Important dates

Study start: 2008
Primary completion: 2009
Study completion: 2009
First posted: Apr 3, 2008
Registry last updated: Apr 28, 2015

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed